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To the memory of
JAMES CHALMERS
Bookseller Dundee
Born 1782 Died 1853
__________
Originator of the adhesive postage stamp
which saved the penny postage scheme of 1840
from collapse
rendering it an unqualified success
and which has since been adopted
throughout the postal systems of the
world
____________
This memorial is erected by his son
PATRICK CHALMERS, Wimbledon
1888.
JAMES CHALMERS, bookseller, during the more active portion of
his life, occupied no inconsiderable space in our local annals. At a time when
burgh politics ran high, Mr Chalmers took a prominent part, first as a Deacon,
and afterwards as Convener of the Nine Incorporated Trades. At a subsequent
period, he was returned to the Town Council, and held the office of Treasurer
for several years. While zealous in expressing his own opinions, he was
uniformly courteous and candid towards those from whom he differed; and hence
little of the acerbity of party spirit was ever chargeable against him. About
the year 1822, Mr Chalmers had his attention turned to the subject of Post
Office improvement, and he applied himself with great diligence to obtain an
acceleration of the mail ; and, mainly through his exertions, a gain of
forty-eight hours was effected in the correspondence between Dundee and London.
The services of Mr Chalmers in this matter were at the time acknowledged by some
of the leading periodicals of the day. At a later period, when Rowland Hill's
plan of uniform postage came into operation, Mr Chalmers—who had upwards of
twelve months previously suggested a cheap system of postage, and recommended
the use of adhesive slips as a means of franking letters—competed for the
premium of £200 offered by Government for the best plan of a , postage stamp.
There were no fewer than 2000 candidates for this premium, and amongst them
there were several who recommended
the same plan as Mr Chalmers. Such being the case, although his plan was adopted
by the Government, the premium never was awarded to any one. In the opinion of
many, however—including Mr Joseph Hume—our townsman should have obtained the
reward. In recognition of his exertions in procuring an acceleration of the
mail, and promoting other improvements in connection with the Post Office, Mr
Chalmers was, on Thursday, Jan. 1, 1846, presented with a piece of silver plate,
and a sum of money, together of the value of about £200.
In Sept. 1827, Mr Chalmers was appointed by his Swedish Majesty Vice-Consul for
Sweden and Norway at this port. In his own profession, Mr Chalmers held a highly
honourable position; in private life, he was modest and unassuming, while his
conversation was pervaded by a playful humour which rendered him an agreeable
companion. He died on Friday, Aug. 26, 1853, aged 71.
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